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Up to half a million people marched through central London on Saturday in
protest at Government public spending cuts in a demonstration hailed a
“fantastic success” by its trade union organisers.

Teachers, nurses, firefighters, council and NHS workers, students, pensioners
and public service users from across the country converged upon Hyde Park in
the biggest event of its kind for more than 20 years.

The march was overwhelmingly “peaceful and well-stewarded”, police said, but a
group of about 500 anarchists broke away, clashing with riot police on
Oxford Street and Piccadilly.

Setting off firecrackers and smoke bombs, they smashed windows

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Video: a peaceful protest and small pockets of violence

March 26 2011

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Around 250,000 turned out today to protest against the coalition's cuts

March 26 2011 Andy Rain/EPA

Around 250,000 turned out today to protest against the coalition's cuts

March 26 2011 Andy Rain/EPA

The London march was largely peaceful but a small group clashed with police

March 26 2011 PA

Anarchists scuffle with police in Oxford Street. Police put their numbers at 500

March 26 2011 Reuters

Anarchists attack The Ritz hotel on Piccadilly

March 26 2011 Dylan Martinez/Reuters

The splinter group attacked as peaceful marchers were trying to pass

March 26 2011 Reuters

Protesters attack a police van in Oxford Street

March 26 2011 Dylan Martinez/Reuters

Suffles flare in Oxford Street

March 26 2011 Dylan Martinez/Reuters

An officer covered in paint

March 26 2011 Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Officers outside Top Shop which was vandalised

March 26 2011 Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The march was organised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC)

March 26 2011 Dominic Lipinski/PA

Security men lock the doors at Topshop on Oxford Street

March 26 2011 Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Protesters cross Waterloo Bridge to join the main march to Hyde Park

March 26 2011 John Stillwell/PA

The crowd was a mix of students, trade unionists and public sector workers

March 26 2011 PA

Ed Balls, the Shadow Chancellor, is accosted by a protester

March 26 2011 Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Mass booing broke out as the march passed Westminster

March 26 2011 Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

All the major unions were represented

March 26 2011 Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Some 4,500 police were been deployed for the march

March 26 2011 Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

The march sets off along the Embankment

March 26 2011 Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

The head of the march reached Hyde Park at around 12.45pm

March 26 2011 Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPAQ

Despite trouble elsewhere, the TUC march remained peaceful

March 26 2011 Getty Images

Labour leader Ed Miliband addresses the Hyde Park rally

March 26 2011 Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Marchers listen to Ed Miliband and union leaders at the Hyde Park rally